Hello everyone. I am having a problem with one of my players that is causing alot of frustration for the other players (and to a lesser extent me). I GM for a small group of 3, a hired gun, bounty hunter, and smuggler. The bounty hunter and smuggler players rp their characters much as you would expect. They are morally grey, smooth-talking, selfish, not beyond killing someone if threatened, and just try to make their way in the galaxy. The Wookie hired gun on the other hand is a complete psychopath who prefers to kill rather than talk out of any situation. He has killed innocent civilians, shopkeepers, possible allies or those who would have surrendered. He also keeps "trophies" of things he's killed, including body parts of sentient beings. The other PCs have grown increasingly upset at the 'kill first ask questions later attitude' of the Wookie that has derailed rp negotiations and payoffs to long and complex plot points. Everyone else including myself wants the game to be a more traditional Star Wars story, in which a murderous psychotic has no place in. He's already been made aware multiple times that he needs to change the way he plays, but I need some good in-game ways to punish him, turn his character around, and if need be remove his character from the party without hurting any feelings. Anyone have advice?

Have Boba Fett show up to collect a 1,000,000 credit bounty or let the party do it. Let them buy the best binders to hogtie him and let them slip a knockout drug into his food. The problem player ends up having his character executed then tell him for his next character that if he doesn't behave that he is out the door. Also, I wouldn't let his second character start with the same amount of exp as his old character. I would make him create a character that is a newbie.

If talking to him out of game has had no impact on his behavior and the negative impact it has then it's probably time to just lay it out and say knock it off or don't come.

Another way to approach this, is for the offending character to have their Obligation increase, as they go around doing things which are inappropriate for 'normal' society, even that of the Outer Rim and Galactic Empire.

Depending on how quickly and/or how much the player has their character cause mayhem, the player might quickly find themselves unable to increase the abilities of their character because the Obligation is too high to expend XP. The character might very quickly need to start dodging bounty hunters, slavers, and/or Imperial troops. Not to mention depending on who some of the shopkeepers and contacts are character kills, other criminal elements could very well have scores to settle with them.

It could also just be that all the player wants to have their character do, is run around killing things. If that turns out to be the case, then perhaps the player is in the wrong gaming group.

The crew drug him during meal, and leave him at the spaceport. Player makes new character, after a stern talk of expectations.

It may be more difficult, but there could be a more interesting way then talk to him, kill his character, re-roll.

Talk to him. Convince him his play style is detrimental to the group and you can't have him doing such. Now, since he probably doesn't want his character to be forced to an in-game death, but we still need a reason for his sudden change of behavior, offer a solution. The next session will involve the PC doing something even more horrible. Due to his violent decision making perhaps he kills some children or other innocents accidentally or on purpose. Allow him to role-play an epiphany caused by massive guilt. Then give him a new Obligation to protect others. Tell the player this is coming and see what he thinks. Tell him it is this, re-roll and play by the rules, or leave the group. Tell him to save his character he must do this. Hopefully he takes the bait and has fun role-playing a once murderous Wookie wracked by guilt who now uses his violent skills to protect others from the evil that he once was.

As noted, I think it would be best to talk to the player and try to get everyone on the same page for what kind of game you want to play.

Although I have to wonder "in game" why the other two would continue to keep him with them. He obviously would be drawing a lot of unwanted attention to them with his actions. In my experience antics like this tend to be corrected by the group where they cause issues. What are the other two doing while this is going on? Just standing by? Why haven't they left him to his own devices?

I can understand if it is tough to find a group and you may not want to lose a player, but at some point you have to draw a line in the sand and do something about behavior that goes against the group's fun.

If you've already talked to him out of game, then nothing you do in game is going to help. He sounds a bit clueless, so if bad things start happening to his character, he'll likely feel picked on. It's time to be more straightforward. I find the idea of in-game penalties, without a clear discussion with the player of what's going on, to be passive-aggressive.

Is the player capable of playing something else, or does he always play the same type? If the former, then just tell him it's time to get rid of that character, because he's ruining the game for everyone. Then you can find a epic way for the character to make an exit. If the latter, then it's the player who has "issues", and his time in your game is done.

Sit down as a group. The GM gives his grievances, then the other two players, then the wookie player justifies his In Character actions,,,, then GM & 2 players give ultimatum - play within the spirit of the game or go play 'Murderous Psycopath D20',, also known as the new Evil Party PFRPG Adventure Path.

Or get a montage of every Chewie scene and say.. do you see THIS wookie behaving like that?.. I'd be tempted to send out a galaxy wide bounty on the PC. - All types from The Bounty Hunter code (1 Corporate, 2 Sector/System/Planetary, 3 Regional, 4 Galactic, 5 Most Wanted) If the PC has racked up a huge body count they should at least be a Galactic Hunt - face plastered EVERYWHERE & known associates inc vessel description.

Or get a montage of every Chewie scene and say.. do you see THIS wookie behaving like that?

Well, it is almost how Hanharr acts...

Next Game... OK players I'll do a left to right camera sweep. The scene opens on an Imperial Garrison, AT-ST crews prepare for their morning patrol as a beat up Firespray sits on one of their docking areas. An unknown individual wearing Mandolorian Armor ascends the ramp, the ramp closes and the after a few minutes the Firespray takes off... it soon becomes a dark speck, then disappears into the clouds.....

GM (to wookie player): You awake thirsty, with a raging hangover/headache in a grey plas-steel walled cell. There are no windows and your hands are bound by magbinders behind your back.. what do you do?

Before he has time to answer interrupt to the other 2 players... you awake on the floor of your ship, hungover and thirsty, It appears you have not been robbed, all gear, in fact is stored neatly against the ship's bulk heads beside you including the wookie's. The wookie is not with you and there is a note attached to his (chosen weapon). It reads: Your friend is now in the custody of the local Imperial Garrison, in a Maximum Security cell. Please choose your friends wisely in the future or suffer the same fate. Many eye witness reports have been recorded against your friend and video evidence is also the possession of the Empire. Signed Boba Fett.

I hesitate to suggest any sort of in-game remedy for what seems to be a play style. I agree with the others, a frank discussion is in order because it's affecting everyone's fun. Some folks enjoy playing murder hobos, and that's okay. It's just not what you want to do, and that's okay too. Once that's out of the way, the in-game remedies suggested can guide the narrative back to where you want to go.

Don't ask him, inform him that his behavior is ruining your game and that he's the only one having fun. Inform him that he either needs to make a new character or, if your story allows for it, redeem his character through roleplay and be prepared to face the consequences of his actions in the form of substantial bounties on his head.

If he's not okay with it, than inform him that he's no longer welcome to play. Then all you'll have to do is write him out of the story and have the players deal with both the consequences of his actions and more importantly their own inaction.

Tell him to quit the psycho act or quit coming.

Though to be honest, how did it get this bad? Every murder should have added more and more Bounty obligation on his head, to the point where the other 2 PC wouldn't be able to refuse. And he has to sleep sometime.

Hello everyone. I am having a problem with one of my players that is causing alot of frustration for the other players (and to a lesser extent me). I GM for a small group of 3, a hired gun, bounty hunter, and smuggler. The bounty hunter and smuggler players rp their characters much as you would expect. They are morally grey, smooth-talking, selfish, not beyond killing someone if threatened, and just try to make their way in the galaxy. The Wookie hired gun on the other hand is a complete psychopath who prefers to kill rather than talk out of any situation. He has killed innocent civilians, shopkeepers, possible allies or those who would have surrendered. He also keeps "trophies" of things he's killed, including body parts of sentient beings. The other PCs have grown increasingly upset at the 'kill first ask questions later attitude' of the Wookie that has derailed rp negotiations and payoffs to long and complex plot points. Everyone else including myself wants the game to be a more traditional Star Wars story, in which a murderous psychotic has no place in. He's already been made aware multiple times that he needs to change the way he plays, but I need some good in-game ways to punish him, turn his character around, and if need be remove his character from the party without hurting any feelings. Anyone have advice?

I think we've all known players like this at some time or other. Talk to him about it and explain as nicely as you can that if he doesn't check his behaviour he needs to find another group more suited to his style of play.

Thank you all for your responses. This is a good friend and there is really no option to tell him to leave. I have other friends that do like Star Wars but none would be interested in playing a tabletop game.

Another way to approach this, is for the offending character to have their Obligation increase, as they go around doing things which are inappropriate for 'normal' society, even that of the Outer Rim and Galactic Empire.

Depending on how quickly and/or how much the player has their character cause mayhem, the player might quickly find themselves unable to increase the abilities of their character because the Obligation is too high to expend XP. The character might very quickly need to start dodging bounty hunters, slavers, and/or Imperial troops. Not to mention depending on who some of the shopkeepers and contacts are character kills, other criminal elements could very well have scores to settle with them.

It could also just be that all the player wants to have their character do, is run around killing things. If that turns out to be the case, then perhaps the player is in the wrong gaming group.

I am definetely doing this now. Tbh I didn't fully understand Obligation until you posted this. Now I gave it a thorough read and I see using it as a great motivator not to be a psycho.

The crew drug him during meal, and leave him at the spaceport. Player makes new character, after a stern talk of expectations.

I mentioned this idea to one of the other players. Last session he was so upset about the Wookie's incapability to control its rage that he willingly gave himself more obligation of "intent to kill" the Wookie.

It may be more difficult, but there could be a more interesting way then talk to him, kill his character, re-roll.

Talk to him. Convince him his play style is detrimental to the group and you can't have him doing such. Now, since he probably doesn't want his character to be forced to an in-game death, but we still need a reason for his sudden change of behavior, offer a solution. The next session will involve the PC doing something even more horrible. Due to his violent decision making perhaps he kills some children or other innocents accidentally or on purpose. Allow him to role-play an epiphany caused by massive guilt. Then give him a new Obligation to protect others. Tell the player this is coming and see what he thinks. Tell him it is this, re-roll and play by the rules, or leave the group. Tell him to save his character he must do this. Hopefully he takes the bait and has fun role-playing a once murderous Wookie wracked by guilt who now uses his violent skills to protect others from the evil that he once was.

I'll try this if obligation doesn't motivate him to change.

As noted, I think it would be best to talk to the player and try to get everyone on the same page for what kind of game you want to play.

Although I have to wonder "in game" why the other two would continue to keep him with them. He obviously would be drawing a lot of unwanted attention to them with his actions. In my experience antics like this tend to be corrected by the group where they cause issues. What are the other two doing while this is going on? Just standing by? Why haven't they left him to his own devices?

I honestly don't know. I guess its for the sake of having a group and not being unfair but I've talked it over with the other two and they are intent on leaving the psychopath somewhere or just killing him at this point.

If you've already talked to him out of game, then nothing you do in game is going to help. He sounds a bit clueless, so if bad things start happening to his character, he'll likely feel picked on. It's time to be more straightforward. I find the idea of in-game penalties, without a clear discussion with the player of what's going on, to be passive-aggressive.

Is the player capable of playing something else, or does he always play the same type? If the former, then just tell him it's time to get rid of that character, because he's ruining the game for everyone. Then you can find a epic way for the character to make an exit. If the latter, then it's the player who has "issues", and his time in your game is done.

We have played an Only War campaign before playing EoTE. In that game according to the GM (who is one of the players in my campaign as well) said he powerleved and often went for violence instead of negotiations. Granted I think he didn't do it as bad as was said, but nonetheless there are still similarities in his game history.

I hesitate to suggest any sort of in-game remedy for what seems to be a play style. I agree with the others, a frank discussion is in order because it's affecting everyone's fun. Some folks enjoy playing murder hobos, and that's okay. It's just not what you want to do, and that's okay too. Once that's out of the way, the in-game remedies suggested can guide the narrative back to where you want to go.

Next session I am going to try and talk this out. The group has allowed it at first because we began the campaign with the beginner's game and we were just dicking around while trying it out. It has been a long time and many sessions since then and everyone save for the Wookie has become more grounded and knows what setting (including I) the game should go for. The Wookie is still stuck in stabby stabby fun time while the game is narratively trying to go for the more neutral, SWTOR smuggler storyline for example. Not goodie two shoes or heroes in any sense, but not cold killers or lunatics either.

I understand that he is your friend... but you can't let him play that card at the expense of the other players or the game. I've got friends who I simply cannot play with because they are very antagonistic, they like picking fights with other players or taking any available opportunity to be nasty little pricks and that is something that ruins the game for me. So those people I have made it very clear to that they are my friends but we can't play together and that's fine.

If you are referring to your friend on here as a psychopath then he's probably not that good a friend and in all honesty if things carry on the way they are it will end up causing resentment which could bring about the end of your friendship, so its better to deal with it now.

If he is a good friend you should be able to talk to him about it straight up. Even if you deal with it in game and the character dies because one of the other player PCs kills him or you send the infinite GM killing squad his way, whatever character he makes next is likely to be the same.

I don't know about 'good' friend. I'm a good friend, and if I was told I was F-ing it up for everyone and ruining their fun, I'd change my ways. A good friend would respect the fact you spoke to him, as well as the fact you are running a cooperative environment in a RPG and that you're the GM.

He's already been made aware multiple times that he needs to change the way he plays, but I need some good in-game ways to punish him, turn his character around, and if need be remove his character from the party without hurting any feelings. Anyone have advice?

You cannot change OOC behaviour with IC methods. That simply isn't going to work. The problem is with the player. Given what you've written about him, it's clear he is not a good fit for your group. You have already talked to him multiple times and he either doesn't respect your opinion or doesn't give a crap in general. A reasoned, mature approach has already failed with him. Time to send him packing and bring someone else in.

Next session I am going to try and talk this out. The group has allowed it at first because we began the campaign with the beginner's game and we were just dicking around while trying it out. It has been a long time and many sessions since then and everyone save for the Wookie has become more grounded and knows what setting (including I) the game should go for. The Wookie is still stuck in stabby stabby fun time while the game is narratively trying to go for the more neutral, SWTOR smuggler storyline for example. Not goodie two shoes or heroes in any sense, but not cold killers or lunatics either.

Good luck! There's always room for compromise and maybe you all can find a way to scratch that itch more appropriately to the story.

He's not much of a friend when all of your prior talks with him haven't changed his behavior. My suggestion was to compensate the other players for dealing with this jackass's behavior.

He's not much of a friend when all of your prior talks with him haven't changed his behavior. My suggestion was to compensate the other players for dealing with this jackass's behavior.

Time to split the party up. "Hey Bob, we all managed to find the Star of Corellia and a million credits, what did you get?". "I got a rock..."

and if need be remove his character from the party without hurting any feelings. Anyone have advice?

Yeah. Tell him to **** right off with his feelings. He is ruining a game for people and knows it. He clearly doesn't respect the feelings of the group so there is no reason to respect his. "Everyone is tired of your ****, shape up or you will not be invited back." End of the discussion.

This is a good friend and there is really no option to tell him to leave.

The hell there isn't. This mentality that everyone has to be included is bull. The thing about good friends is that they call you on poor behavior. The discussion should go like this:

"Hey PC, the guys and I have been talking and you murdering everything is really dragging down the game for everyone. You're my friend so I want you to be able to play with us, but you need to consider if this is a game you want to be in."

"Oh **** man, I'm SUPER embarrassed that I've been such an ass. I'll absolutely do better. And to make amends, pizza and beer is on me next session."

And if the conversation doesn't go something like that, then you should stop inviting him.

Best thing to do is talk with the problem player and let them know that they are ruining the fun for you and for the others. If it continues have his character get grabbed by some Trandoshan slavers and have him do up another character that is not a psychopath.